Oil and gas scholarships in Nigeria 2024

The oil and gas industry is a vital part of Nigeria’s economy. To ensure the continued growth and development of the sector, oil companies in Nigeria provide numerous scholarship opportunities every year for Nigerian students pursuing oil and gas-related fields of study. Here is all you need to know about oil and gas scholarships in Nigeria for 2024, and how you can apply.

Major oil and gas companies offering scholarships

Several major oil companies in Nigeria offer a variety of undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships for Nigerian students annually. Some top oil companies that provide scholarships for oil and gas programs include:

Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC): SPDC usually offers 10-15 scholarships every year for undergraduate and postgraduate studies in oil and gas fields both within and outside Nigeria.

Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC): Through its various subsidiaries, NNPC provides substantial funding for oil and gas education in Nigerian universities as well as scholarships for overseas studies.

Chevron Nigeria Limited: Chevron Nigeria offers competitive scholarships predominantly for graduate studies in petroleum-focused disciplines both locally and abroad.

TotalEnergies: TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited provides both undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships for studying in Nigeria as well as overseas.

ExxonMobil: ExxonMobil supports various postgraduate scholarships through the ExxonMobil Foundation for African students to study oil and gas programs abroad.

Eligibility criteria for oil and gas scholarships

To qualify for oil and gas scholarships in Nigeria, candidates must meet these basic criteria:

Nigerian citizenship with national ID or international passport.

Admission into an accredited Nigerian university approved by NUC to study oil and gas-related programs at HND, Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD levels.

Meeting the minimum admission requirements and cut-off marks for the course of interest.

Strong academic performance – a minimum Second Class Upper or equivalent CGPA is usually required.

Other requirements may include proficiency tests, interviews, means tests, etc depending on the scholarship provider.

Application process and deadlines

Most oil and gas companies release scholarship application guidelines and deadlines between September and December every year for the following academic session starting in late August/September. Here are the basic steps to apply:

Search company websites or visit their Nigerian offices for program details and guidelines.

Download application forms and ensure you meet all eligibility criteria.

Prepare all required documents like statement of purpose, transcripts, recommendation letters, etc.

Submit completed application packages before the published deadlines which are typically the end of January.

Shortlisted candidates may be required to take proficiency tests and interviews from March-May.

Successful candidates are notified by June/July to enable admission processing for the new session.

Scholarship activates upon enrollment at an approved university in late August/September.

The expected timeframe for completion of scholarship-funded programs and bonding periods also needs to be clearly understood. Any sponsored student will usually be bonded for several years after graduation.

Benefits of oil and gas scholarships

Oil company scholarships are highly coveted in Nigeria due to the numerous benefits they provide:

Full tuition and fees are paid for approved programs of study.

Monthly stipends are paid directly to scholars.

For overseas programs, allowances cover expenses like accommodation, feeding, transportation, books, etc.

Opportunities for subsidized industrial training, research projects and possible jobs after graduation.

Networking advantage to build technical and professional relationships in the oil sector.

Skills and expertise to contribute meaningfully to the energy industry and national development.

All the best!!!